TikTokers Are 'Sun Cream Contouring' And Please Don't

TikTok has kept many of us interested and amused throughout lockdown, thanks to its infinite dance challenges and must-try beauty hacks.

But while TikTok trends have actually changed and revolutionised our lives (like wearing our bikini bottoms as tops) there's one new craze that we should actively be trying to avoid - sun cream contouring. Yes, really.

A video, which has been uploaded by @stopiteli and has garnered nearly two million likes, explained how the potentially dangerous 'sun cream contouring' works.

"Haters will say it doesn't work, but I am convinced that if you put a base sunscreen of SPF 30 on and SPF 90 on all the spots that you would put highlighter on, the sun will contour your face where you put bronzer and you will be naturally snatched all summer," the TikTokker explained.

Others have jumped onto the trend too, convinced this "actually works".

Erm...we hate to burst your bubble, but this really isn't the case, hun.

In fact, medical professionals have since told Tyla that this practise is not only unlikely to work effectively, but could also cause permanent damage to your skin.

Consultant dermatologist Dr. Sreedhar Krishna told us: "Sorry to be a partypooper but this trend is pretty dangerous for obvious reasons.

"In order to be effective, sun cream needs to be applied liberally to achieve a sufficient layer of sun protection. Applying it thinly to certain areas will give you a false sense of security but will still leave you vulnerable to sunburn.

TikTok stopiteli)

"Additionally, those areas which have been left completely untouched will be extremely susceptible to sunburn."

Dr. Krishna continued: "Sunburn is a marker of your skin's DNA becoming damaged. This will this increase the risk of developing skin cancer which will need to be cut out, leading to unsightly scarring.

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"Additionally, UV radiation from exposed skin will result in the proteins which hold your skin together becoming damaged - this will result in the skin becoming saggy and leathery in texture. This can be even more obvious if certain areas have been damaged more than others - as will happen with sun cream contouring."

In fact, sun cream contouring could result in 'irreversible damage' done to your skin.

Dermatology nurse consultant Paul Oliver added: "Areas which aren't protected by sunscreen are left vulnerable to burning as well as permanent skin damage once temporary tan lines fade. This can also cause premature skin ageing and lead to fine lines and wrinkles or skin pigmentation. In severe cases not protecting your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays can also result in skin cancer too, so this trend really is not worth it, instead stick to contouring with your make-up palette.

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"Trends like this can be extremely dangerous for our skin and it could lead to irreversible damage.

"It is so important to properly cover your skin with a broad spectrum (that protect from both UVA and UVB rays) high SPF to protect it from the sun - ideally SPF 50, and to reapply every two hours."

Yep, this is one trend that can firmly get in the bin.

Topics: Life News, Life, Health, TikTok

Kimberley Bond

Kim is a journalist at Tyla, and has previously worked at the Evening Standard, Radio Times as well as several national newspapers. A showbiz obsessive and a television fanatic, Kim is particularly interested in celebrity gossip, A-list events and the latest releases on either the big or small screen. Contact her at [email protected]

@0xKimberley